Naturalisation is the process through which eligible adults apply to become British citizens. If you have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or settled status, you must still meet separate citizenship requirements. Your time outside the UK and whether your spouse or civil partner is British can affect when you qualify. This article explains British citizenship eligibility, fees, and application steps for adults, along with the different rules for children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most applicants first need ILR, settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or another form of indefinite permission to stay. Settled status is permission to stay under that scheme without a time limit. How long it takes to reach this stage depends on your immigration route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, the usual partner and spouse visa route<\/a> generally requires 5 qualifying years before you can apply for ILR. Some people follow a longer settlement route, such as the 10-year route. Check your route against the Home Office settlement guidance<\/a> before planning your citizenship application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have ILR or settled status, you can consider whether you meet the separate citizenship requirements. The time needed to settle and the citizenship residence period are separate requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your application timing depends partly on whether you are married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen. The shorter citizenship residence period does not replace the ILR qualifying period. An unmarried partner does not qualify for the shorter period simply because their partner is British.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The main requirements differ as follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meeting these periods alone does not establish that you satisfy every citizenship requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have ILR or settled status, you can usually apply straight away if you meet the other citizenship requirements. For example, you could apply the day after the Home Office grants ILR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For someone on the usual partner route, the sequence is to complete that route, obtain ILR, then apply for citizenship. The Home Office assesses the citizenship residence requirements over the relevant period before the application.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n An unmarried partner who obtains ILR through the usual partner route would normally need to wait a further 12 months before applying. If they marry or enter a civil partnership with a British citizen before applying, different citizenship requirements may apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Continue reading this article below the form\n <\/i>\n<\/a>\nWhen Can You Apply for British Citizenship?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Requirement<\/strong><\/td> British Spouse or Civil Partner<\/strong><\/td> Other Applicants<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead> Citizenship residence period<\/td> Normally 3 years before applying<\/td> Normally 5 years before applying<\/td><\/tr> Wait after ILR or settled status<\/td> No additional waiting period<\/td> Normally at least 12 months<\/td><\/tr> Usual maximum absences across that residence period<\/td> 270 days<\/td> 450 days<\/td><\/tr> Usual maximum absences in the final 12 months<\/td> 90 days<\/td> 90 days<\/td><\/tr> Intention to keep the UK as your main home<\/td> Not required under this route<\/td> Normally required<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n If Your Spouse or Civil Partner is British<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If You are Not Married to a British Citizen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n